Stade Francais hooker Dimitri Szarzewski has been cited and will more than likely sit out for a few weeks after he head-butted Toulons Jean-Phillipe Genevois during their eventful meeting on the weekend.

Yesterday you got to see the clip of big
Mathieu Bastereaud smashing wing Rory Lamont
, a clip which brought up quite a lot of debate regarding not only the legality of the tackle, but whether or not the huge center wouldnt be more suited to the front row.

One front rower who probably wont be playing anywhere anytime soon again is hooker Szarzewski, who nutted Genevois for no apparent reason, other than a few words, some history, and a funny look. There was something very Zidane-Materazzi about the whole incident, particular in the way that Genevois flopped to the floor despite the contact not actually being all that significant.

Play acting seems to becoming more and more prevalent of late, as pointed out by commentator Gonzalo Quesada, former Argentina flyhalf.

That aside, you cant defend the Stade hookers actions and hell no doubt be on the sidelines for a few weeks, missing Frances upcoming internationals when they play Fiji, Argentina, and Australia. Well find out soon what the length of the suspension will be, but it could be anything between a month and two years.

Check out the related posts for a few random links to other headbutts from the archives.

Both should get suspended. Szarzewski should know a bit better with his experience (he can say good bye to the Autumn Test). As for Genevois, he should quickly join the French soccer team. Pathetic and somehow uncharacteristic for a front row from Toulon....

I've seen more contact from squaring up to someone... barely even a headbutt. I know it will result in a suspension but that's just a sign of the softness of rugby these days (both the suspension to come and the fall to the ground).

Think the ref dealt with it perfectly on the field - told them to grow up and shake hands. A ban would be disproportionate to the wrong; probably, a yellow card would have be fairly disproportionate also - barely any difference to when front rows square up against each other when a scrum comes up.

If anything, just a warning so that he's reminded to improve discipline.

Szarzewski should not have done this and it's obviously a disgrace but Genevois reaction is a bigger disgrace ! Should be banned for two weeks for 'acting like a footballer' (the so-called headbutt did not have any power imo), what we obviously don't want in rugby.

Completely agree with all that has been said previous. Have had a similar experience where a player faked the fact that a team mate had punched him, the ref did not see and sent our man off for foul play. However, the player who faked the injury got dropped by his team for a month! Think both guys should be banned!

Even if to give a little headbutt defy is usual between front-rows, u just can't do that.
Swarzweski will take few deserved weeks, but Genevois simulation must be sanctionned or it will become the era of the Drogba and C.ronaldo rugby divers...

what the fuck is wrong with that? thats not anywhere near a headbutt. the only guy that should be cited is the one lying on the turf crying. that is exactly the reason why i enjoy rugby league more and more. it is a game where you can actually tackle without that freaking arm-rule, and have a proper fight and not get cited or send of immediatly. i ve never been a forward looking for a fight all game, but one of the first things i have learned was: you should never shy away from a fight. when the other guy hits you, hit back.

1. Szarzewski should know the rules of the game by now... so many yars playing top class rugby and still making this kind of stuff? No wonder why he's struggling with keeping Servat from the France no. 2

2. Genevois - a shame. Saw him playing gainst Munster and he had a very good game. But THIS? Honestly, he should be banned for being such a hypocrite and giving this awful example.

3. Please get back to old fashioned shirts, Max Guazzini! Your plyers are starting to look like pimps.

Genevois is a tool. Any respect for him has quickly gone out the door.

That aside, you cant defend the Stade hookers actions and hell no doubt be on the sidelines for a few weeks, missing Frances upcoming internationals...

I don't think Szarzewski should be dealt with at all. A scrum has more impact than that "headbutt". I feel like he shouldn't be sanctioned at all, as punishment to Genevois for putting on a such a show.

It would be like if Shontayne Hape had been cited/suspended when Giteau did his little dive.

The head butt should get the appropriate suspension... whether or not it was hard or a full connection, the intent was there and he should be punished accordingly.

However, the DIVE and flopping in response to the hit should also result in a sanction. To prevent Rugby from turning into soccer/football, there needs to be a firm stance taken on B.S. like this dive.

Give the diver a 1 game sanction and a Tony award (as that was more Broadway than Hollywood), and stamp the diving from the game before it takes root.

LET'S PUT THINGS STRAIGHT !
The reason Dimitri did this was out of revenge. 2 years ago, Jean-Philippe Genevois gave him a headbutt during a game at Jean Bouin. He thereby fracturing Szarzewski's orbital floor (http://www.stade.fr/dbimages/Image/inside_actualite/popup/080503_dimitri_b.jpg).
I'm not justifying his action, just calling back the history.
But if I may say, I have more problems whith the way Genevois dove then with the way Dimitri gave the hit....

Genevois is a massive soft cock.
What a pussy, diving like a soccer player.
I hope Szarzewski gets let off, just on the basis that Genevois is a fucking pussy who shouldn't be allowed on a rugby pitch.

Yes he's a m,assive soft cock and a pussy, because both those terms aren't to be taken literally, they are insults and mean that he is a cowardly piece of shit (also not meant ot be taken literally).
You would undertstand all that, if you knew how the English language worked.
Like if I called you a jerk, I don't mean you are a sudden movement, but if I call you a pedant, that is literal.

Szarsewski has been retained for the autumn tests.
my gosh, dunno which attitude is more to blame: that stupid headbutt from Szar (who should keep his temper, for he's quite a good hooker) or the perfect ITALIAN DIVING from the other PUSSY, genevois??
gosh, if rugbymen start playing with the referee like that soon enough tackles'll be forbidden!

Stupid headbutt (a couple of weeks imo) and stupid dive (a warning imo).
If they'd been dealt with on the field at the time then a yellow for both and then a couple of weeks extra for the headbutt.
No point in people saying it was nothin', a headbutt is what it is.

It is extremely nve to think that any sport will remain clean when it becomes professional, especially one with as much conflict as rugby. Gamesmanship usurps sportsmanship, and playing up to the referee as Genvois did is simply another weapon in the arsenal to get an advantage over the other team. It happens because it works. Take the money away from the sport, and this would clear up in no time.